Ponting, Ganguly head towards final showdown

March 15 2003By Peter Roebuck

If the Australians meet India in the final next Sunday it will be a great day and an appropriate end to an intriguing tournament. Before that, Ricky Ponting's team must overcome strong opposition in its semi-final to be played in Port Elizabeth, a pitch it regards with suspicion.

Not that it is alone in that for the hosts are flying down every expert on grass in the country, or anyhow those not still smoking the stuff, in an attempt to make the surface behave properly.

Still, and begging forgiveness of other contenders, it would be a most stimulating final for here is a clash of cultures and styles, a bout between mighty forces and great players.

The Indians are different. Next door, Indian journalists are doing their puja. Every morning they go for walks and return with flowers that are placed before the little temple erected in their rooms.

Meanwhile, last night's whisky is put away and omelettes cook upon the grill. India had not expected much from this tournament because the draw was bad, with Australia, England and Pakistan in the same pool. Moreover, its batsmen had lost confidence in New Zealand and the fall of their captain was hourly anticipated. Then, in the nick of time, the gods turned favourable. Confirmation came with a famous win over Pakistan, a win that included a shot of the utmost significance from Sachin Tendulkar, a cut for six played against Pakistan's fastest bowler that brought to an end a decade of cricketing inferiority.

Thousands of Indians are flying in for the week, confident their team can overcome the Kenyans and reach the World Cup final.

Not that Ganguly's mum will be taking anything for granted. Whenever her son plays an important match, she sits in front of her temple praying to her gods, a puja that lasts till the match is over. Unable to stop his mother's prayers, Ganguly has installed a television beside the temple, a most Indian compromise.

Whether or not Mr and Mrs Ponting will be praying for their offspring in deepest Mowbray cannot be said, but the Australian captain might appreciate the thought because his team deserves a place in the final.

Ponting's team has a spirit of its own. Brett Lee's sixes off the last two deliveries of the match against the Kiwis told the tale. Jacob Oram's penultimate ball was directed at the batsman's toes but, like many of the shells in the Great War, fell short of its mark. Lee stood still and smote the ball a furlong over the boundary at long-on whereupon he beamed. Rather than resting on his laurels, Lee changed his approach for the next delivery, retreating to leg by way of opening up the off-side field, a strategy that has not appealed to many fast bowlers.

Finding the ball landing somewhere in the region, Lee lashed at it and stood imperious as the ball sailed over the boundary at deep cover. It was an astonishing stroke and had an immense impact upon the morale of the opposing forces.

The Australians are exuberant. It is the mood of the entire party. When Andrew Bichel was hit on the head by a beamer he smiled and graciously accepted the bowler's word that the delivery had not been intended. Others might have stepped down the pitch with fisticuffs in mind and been forgiven, by this correspondent anyhow.

Whereas the Australians seemed tense throughout the previous World Cup, this side is enjoying itself, approaches that reflect the temperaments of the two captains. Whereas Steve Waugh resembles Clint Eastwood coming to town with vengeance in mind, Ponting is more likely to be found amongst the revellers in the tavern.

Ponting has put his own stamp upon the team. He relishes life, and does not waste much time in contemplation. Australia was hardened by Allan Border, advanced by Mark Taylor and challenged by Steve Waugh. Perhaps it will be released by Ponting.

This cup has confirmed the vital part played by captains in the formation and outlook of cricket teams. In their own ways, Ponting, Ganguly, Stephen Fleming, Steve Tikolo and Sanath Jayasuriya have moulded their sides. These are men of character and personality, and it shows.

Ganguly has his prayers and his fatalism. Ponting has his wits about him. Denied a duel between Tendulkar and Brian Lara, cricket needs their sides to meet at Wanderers next Sunday.